Oregon Woman Faces Prison After Dumping Half a Million Gallons of Toxic Wastewater Into Hillsboro Sewer

An Oregon woman is facing prison and a hefty fine for allowing half-a-million gallons of water contaminated with *hydrofluoric acid, titanium, arsenic, molybdenum, vanadium, and other heavy metals into a sanitary sewer system in Hillsboro.

Thirty-five-year-old Kayla Hartley, of Troutdale, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act and now faces a potential sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

According to court documents, from February to September 2020, while serving as the director of Northwest Slurry in Hillsboro, Hartley promoted the facility as a legal disposer of industrial wastewater despite lacking the required permits or authorization.

Hartley attempted to hide the fact that industrial wastewater was discharged into th sanitary sewer when the operators of the Hillsboro sewer system visited the Northwest Slurry premises.

On July 15, 2025, Hartley was indicted by a federal grand jury in Portland for conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act. The sentencing is scheduled to take place on May 12 before a U.S. District Court Judge.

The Case was Investigated by the Environmental Crimes Task Force

The case was investigated by the Environmental Crimes Task Force (ECTF), an initiative of the District of Oregon that identifies, investigates, and prosecutes environmental, public lands, and wildlife crimes.

ECTF is tasked with protecting human health, safeguarding wildlife and natural resources, and holding violators accountable.

Prosecutors were Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew T. Ho and William M. McLaren. The public who witness infringements of the Clean Water Act should alert local emergency authorities and report incidents to environmental violations or the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

*Hydrofluoric acid is one of the most dangerous, corrosive chemicals and exposure can cause severe tissue damage, or even result in death.